These base stats are used both for checking against the prerequisites for a perk and for determining the number of skill points allocated on a level up. Unlike Fallout and Fallout 2, the game internally keeps track of 'base stats,' which are the SPECIAL scores without any temporary adjustments (such as from chems or certain equipment). Also as in previous games, individual attributes cannot go lower than 1 or higher than 10 any bonuses or penalties beyond those are simply ignored.
As in previous games, individual attributes can be adjusted upward and downward so long as the total equals exactly 40.
attributes default to 5 points per attribute, with an additional 5 points to be distributed during character creation, for a total of 40 points. As has been the case since Fallout, the character's S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system has remained mostly consistent throughout the Fallout series. Main article: Fallout: New Vegas primary statistics
